Dr. Rajeev Jain, a member of the AGA Prior Authorization Reform Task Force, has published an opinion piece in Dallas Morning News detailing the implications of UnitedHealthcare’s new advance notification process, which lays the groundwork for far-reaching prior authorization requirements for most colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures.
Thanks to Dr. Jain for speaking up on the implications of this new policy.
“There doesn’t seem to be any rationale for switching to advance notification; however, the quest for data from doctors’ practices is at its core. In fact, the new program requires a greater scope of data input from physicians’ offices than the previously planned prior authorization program. United promises all the data collected will be the basis for a new prior authorization policy in 2024, which I fear will disrupt and deny patients’ access to lifesaving care. So regardless of what you call the program now, it will eventually be a tool for prior authorization.”
.@Rajster said it best in @DallasNews: @UHC should immediately reverse course, rescind its hastily proposed advance notification program & drop its intent to require prior authorization for most GI endoscopic procedures. #StopUHC
